Latest technology The Airlander (above) relies on nonflammable helium, unlike the Hindenburg, which was powered by hydrogen and brought tragedy in 1937 (below)
It’s being billed as sky yachting – a return to a stately form of travel from a bygone era, one that fascinated visionaries as far back as Leonardo da Vinci and Jules Verne, whose time may have come around again.
Just don’t refer to these new floating wonders as airships, says the British company at the forefront of this latest technology. The correct term is Hybrid Air Vehicles – graceful giants whose makers believe offer not only the cleanest way to fly, but also a new era of inter-city travel, and an opportunity to capture the high end of the tourism market.
Luxury expeditions to the North Pole as early as next year are already being advertised. Safaris from the air over the African savanna, or hovering over some of the world’s most famous landmarks, are envisaged soon after.
The game-changer is the Airlander, a craft built by Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), a Bedfordbased company made up of key talent from the British aerospace industry. Its luxury version has been described as a ‘flying five-star hotel’, carrying 100 passengers and crew. Makers also believe the Airlander can revolutionise short-haul flights and freight transportation.